~ Reflections of a pastor…

More thoughts on the ‘Sitz im Leben’ of the Gospel according to Matthew

I continue my current obsession with redaction criticism with this offering from Donald Senior’s The Gospel of Matthew: “Redaction Criticism assumes that one can detect in Matthew’s presentation of the disciples some of the circumstances of his own community context and the evangelist’s particular response to his situation. Literary criticism agrees that the reader is expected to identify with the gospel’s portrayal of the disciples and to see there is a certain mirror image of the Christian life. There is also an area of Matthean studies where the assumptions and ecclesial experience the interpreter brings to the text can also have a significant influence” (1997, p.64).

How else can one understand Matthew, other than that of concerned pastor and evangelist theologian? From heritage to resurrection he is revealing Jesus as both Christ and Immanuel. Increasingly I am convinced that the Sitz im Leben of Matthew cannot so easily be divided between the Jesus of history and the Matthean community. The narrative is, at every turn pointing to Jesus Christ as a present reality; whether it be in the sizmos of life or the ethical imperative of his words. It would seem to me that the horizons do not so easily separate; and nor should they!

I don’t think redaction criticism ‘assumes’ that at all and literary criticism is likewise wrongly described.

Actually I’m not sure I understand you “How else can one understand Matthew, other than that of concerned pastor and evangelist theologian?” I was “offended” by something you didn’t say but I’m not sure what you are saying… :-)

Why is it a strange view? Mine or Seniors? I would have thought that is exactly what Redaction criticism does; it reveals the intent of the author as to why he or she made the changes. Hence, when one discovers that matthew changes the word for storm he does so for a reason.

As for me; I was saying (obviously poorly) that the more I read and study matthew the more I am convinced he is a pastor, in his care and concern for his communities ad a theologian in his presentation of who Jesus is in relationship to God and Israel.

The schools in which I first did Bib studies little attention was really given to the setting into which Matthew wrote (hence why I am finding redaction criticism liberating).

PS I don’t think redaction criticism “assumes” a Matthean “community” for one thing…

By the way I didn’t really take offence even when I thought you said something else. I just missed the :-) There’s less incentive to do a :-) when it doesn’t come out as a pretty face … I “assume” you know I’m teasing . :-):-)

You do what? I still don’t understand the sense of this sentence, “The narrative is, at every turn pointing to Jesus Christ as a present reality; whether it be in the sizmos of life or the ethical imperative of his words.” And what ‘horizons’?

Redaction criticism regards Matthew as a redactor but further assumptions are the assumptions of individual critics methinks. :-)

About Mark Stevens

Mark is pastor of the Happy Valley Church of Christ in Adelaide, South Australia. He holds a Master of Ministry from Tabor College Adelaide. The Parson's Patch is a collection of musings on the pastoral vocation, coffee (humour), gardening and other topics of interest! Mark reviews books for Zondervan, IVP, Kregel Academic and Logos Bible Software.

Endorsement

"I am happy to commend Mark Stevens' fine blog which provides resources and discussion on a panoply of things crucial to Christian ministry in the 21rst century. But quite apart from the resources, Mark evinces a mind for what really matters when it comes to the serious study of God's Word--- highly recommended. "